Lisa Ward – Artistic Director

(B.S.Ed., Summa Cum Laude)

Lisa Ward has directed choirs in Red Deer, AB for over 28 years and continues to make a significant contribution to the choral community in Central Alberta. Lisa is the founder of C-SUS (Choral Singers Unite Society) and artistic director of Brioso, Soliloquy, Selah & ihana Choirs and It’s Time Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Lisa taught choral music at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School 1989 – 2010 where she directed 5 choirs that were the recipients of national and international recognition for musical excellence in both the jazz and chamber choir fields. She has also taught elementary music, directed the Seton Singers children’s choir, and taught choral music at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School 2014-2017. When Lisa’s not at school or choir rehearsals, she teaches private voice and piano.

Lisa was the recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal Award, has received the Con Spiritu Award presented by the ACF, and was nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award. Most recently, she was a committee member and clinician for the Cantando Music Festival in Sun Peaks, BC, in April, 2015 and served as Artist-in-Residence at Victoria School of the Arts December, 2014, where she worked with 9 choirs and 240 singers. She has been an adjudicator and workshop clinician for the Ontario Vocal Festival, Saskatchewan Provincial Honour Choir, Saskatchewan and Alberta Music Conferences, Brandon Jazz Festival, ChoralFest North in Edmonton, SWCC Vocal Jazz Festival in Creston, Iowa, and numerous school groups in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In addition, Lisa has been the resident choral clinician for CADME in Calgary for the past three years. Lisa is the proud mother of two daughters, Racquel and Taylor, and enjoys being a certified life coach through Personal Best Seminars.

Lisa has fostered young people’s passion for choral music and led choral groups to national and international honours. She demonstrates excellence in teaching and directing and has tremendous energy and enthusiasm for her work. Working with choirs has been a tremendous source of joy and connection for Lisa and has enabled her to thrive, smile, grow and learn something new every day. “Sharing the human voice in community with other singers is a very empowering experience. It brings out the best in all of us.” – Lisa